Pursuit, Arrest Follow Driverâs Refusal To Pay Entrance Fee

Ranger Teri Stoia was dispatched to the parkâs Interior fee station on August 4th to investigate an incident in which a prospective visitor wanted to enter the park but declined to pay the entrance fee. She contacted the driver, late identified as Julian Boucher of Hankinson, North Dakota, and found that Boucher wouldnât pay the fee because he contended that he was not subject to the laws of the United States. Boucher told Stoia to write him a citation. When Stoia asked him for his driverâs license, Boucher refused to provide it and instead sped off into the park. Stoia pursued and summoned assistance; rangers and BIA officers who were on detail to the park during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally responded. The pursuit continued across the entire park, exiting through the Northeast entrance station. Rangers and officers several times attempted ârolling roadblocksâ in an effort to stop Boucher, but each time he would swerve his vehicle towards the nearest cruiser, requiring the officer to take evasive action to avoid a collision or being forced off the highway. South Dakota Highway Patrol troopers responded from Interstate 90 and laid down a series of speed strips to stop Boucherâs vehicle. Before he reached them, rangers and officers were finally able to successfully employ a rolling roadblock and get Boucher to stop. He was taken into custody without further incident. The United States Attorneyâs Office in Rapid City intends to charge Boucher with multiple counts of assault on a federal law enforcement officer.